--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you live with a potentially…" description: "\"When you live with a potentially life-threatening condition you get used to the thought of dying. You accept it, you push on. The thing that scared me ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/josh-lanyon-1827_accepting_when-you-live-with-a-potentially-life-th_2524322.png" --- # When you live with a potentially life-threatening… ![“When you live with a potentially life-threatening condition you get used to the thought of dying. You accept it, you push on. The thing that scared me was the picture of dying slowly and painfully, the loss of independence and identity to illness.” quote by Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/josh-lanyon-1827_accepting_when-you-live-with-a-potentially-life-th_2524322.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/josh-lanyon-1827_accepting_when-you-live-with-a-potentially-life-th_2524322.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/josh-lanyon-1827_accepting_when-you-live-with-a-potentially-life-th_2524322.png) > “When you live with a potentially life-threatening condition you get used to the thought of dying. You accept it, you push on. The thing that scared me was the picture of dying slowly and painfully, the loss of independence and identity to illness.” [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Facing mortality forces acceptance, perseverance, and redefining identity beyond illness. **In simple terms:** Accepting death fuels perseverance. Key Takeaway Find purpose despite health challenges. Themes mortality acceptance identity Mood determined empathetic Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - chronic illness management - support groups - daily routines - mental health care Key Concepts psychological adaptation meaning-making Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain identity when ill? - What supports help you push forward? A Different Perspective Physical limits may restrict goals, requiring realistic planning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Dying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dying/) [Dying slowly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dying-slowly/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illness/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Life Threatening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-threatening-491616/) [Loss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loss/) [Scared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scared/) [Thought Dying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-dying-663531/) [Threatening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threatening/) [Threatening Condition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threatening-condition-1104788/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) ## Related quotes > [“Men, especially sick ones, are the biggest babies on earth,” Barbara said wryly. “They get a little virus and think someone should rush in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-macomber/men-especially-sick-ones-are-the-biggest-babies-on-earth-barbara-said/) [Debbie Macomber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-macomber/) > [“Lilli . . . 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They said it slightly sotto voce, but you could hear the thirst for sensation right through it: when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-koch/is-it-life-threatening-they-asked-they-said-it-slightly-sotto-voce/) [Herman Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-koch/) > [Fears are a complete waste of your time. Nine times out of ten, whatever you're afraid of is not dangerous or life threatening. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-stephenson/fears-are-a-complete-waste-of-your-time-nine-times-out-of-ten/) [Sean Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-stephenson/) > [There are drawbacks in being famous too, but you can live with those. They're not life-threatening. If the paparazzi are outside your restaurant or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/there-are-drawbacks-in-being-famous-too-but-you-can-live-with-those/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [But most men regard their life as a poem that women threaten. They may not have two spondees to rub together but they still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bennett/but-most-men-regard-their-life-as-a-poem-that-women-threaten-they-may/) [Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bennett/) > [“Don't you believe it. I'll tell you what life is. It's gaol, it's not knowing where to get some money. Worms and cataract, cancer.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/don-t-you-believe-it-i-ll-tell-you-what-life-is-it-s-gaol-it-s-not/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [I called the album 'The Chemo' because it seems like the industry and music overall is dying slowly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/busta-rhymes/i-called-the-album-the-chemo-because-it-seems-like-the-industry-and/) [Busta Rhymes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/busta-rhymes/) > [Cause I swear that I'm dying, slowly but its happening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/cause-i-swear-that-i-m-dying-slowly-but-its-happening/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) ## More by Josh Lanyon > [“Emma sat up very straight in the saddle. Her eyes were huge, but she said bravely, “I could do it!” “I know you can.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/emma-sat-up-very-straight-in-the-saddle-her-eyes-were-huge-but-she/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [“Max's scarred brow crinkled. He reached for the coffee mug on his desk. “Motive is tricky. See, what might be a good reason for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/max-s-scarred-brow-crinkled-he-reached-for-the-coffee-mug-on-his-desk/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [“It was nearly five before Jake walked in. He was sunburnt, wet, and smelled faintly of fish. Sexy as hell. Don’t ask me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/it-was-nearly-five-before-jake-walked-in-he-was-sunburnt-wet-and/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [“Law enforcement hardened you. It made you cynical about people. Even people you loved. The people who deserved your unconditional trust.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/law-enforcement-hardened-you-it-made-you-cynical-about-people-even/) [josh lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [Drink your coffee -- people in Africa are sleeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/drink-your-coffee-people-in-africa-are-sleeping/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [“So you're like a ... an amateur sleuth?" "God no. I'm more like the hapless guys in those film-noir flicks we used to watch.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/so-you-re-like-a-an-amateur-sleuth-god-no-i-m-more-like-the-hapless/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [“ 'You know what I thought the first time I saw you?' 'No.' 'Point of no return.' ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/you-know-what-i-thought-the-first-time-i-saw-you-no-point-of-no-return/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [Jake's mouth found mine, his lips molding hot and soft to my own. His tongue tentatively tested the seal of my lips; I parted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/jake-s-mouth-found-mine-his-lips-molding-hot-and-soft-to-my-own-his/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [He needed fresh air and sunshine. A walk in the woods and afterward a good book to read by the fire. Yeah, that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/he-needed-fresh-air-and-sunshine-a-walk-in-the-woods-and-afterward-a/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [I love you," Jake whispered. "Are you strong enough for this?" I made myself comfortable. Said over my shoulder, "Sure." "Would you tell me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/i-love-you-jake-whispered-are-you-strong-enough-for-this-i-made/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [Kit, you're forty. You look thirty. You act...well, never mind. You're carrying on like you think you're seventy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/kit-you-re-forty-you-look-thirty-you-act-well-never-mind-you-re/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [“That's one of the oldest tricks in the world, Adrien-with-an-e.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/that-s-one-of-the-oldest-tricks-in-the-world-adrien-with-an-e/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [“You're Professor Mills? The new one who teaches history?" As opposed to the old Professor Mills who preached overthrow of the government?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/you-re-professor-mills-the-new-one-who-teaches-history-as-opposed-to/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [He never lied to me. I just didn't ask the questions I didn't want to know the answers to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/he-never-lied-to-me-i-just-didn-t-ask-the-questions-i-didn-t-want-to/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) > [“If there was one thing I learned in the last twenty-four hours, it was how short life is – how long death – and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lanyon/if-there-was-one-thing-i-learned-in-the-last-twenty-four-hours-it-was/) [Josh Lanyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) [Explore all 203 Josh Lanyon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lanyon/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. 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Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) [Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you live with a potentially life-threatening condition you get used to the thought of dying. You accept it, you push on. 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